§ 14. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Power whether he will now state his revised estimate of total coal production for 1959 and total coal consumption; and by how much in tons the former exceeds the latter.
§ Mr. GeorgeThe outcome should not be very different from that forecast in the reply given on 2nd November to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey).
§ Mr. NabarroThe production of coal this year is likely to exceed consumption by a figure of about 15 million tons, subject to what occurs in the next four weeks until the end of the coal year. Having regard to the rising output per manshift from the mines—all of which will be projected into next year—is it realistic for my right hon. Friend to insist that these coal stocks shall be reduced by only 1 million tons in the next thirteen months? Cannot we have a more realistic assessment in the interests of our taxpayers?
§ Mr. GeorgeThe forecast made by my right hon. Friend is a realistic assessment based on the opinions of those who are expert in assessing consumption and demand for coal in this country.
§ Mr. NabarroI disagree entirely with what has been said.